Glucosamine Helps Strengthen the "Rope" that Holds Water
Essentially, there are three basic substances that cartilage cells require to maintain their health: water, nourishment and collagen. Glucosamine helpls to improve the body's ability to produce molecules called proteoglycans which thread and bind cartilage molecules together. These threads are also responsible for holding onto water molecules that are needed to hydrate the cartilage cells, keeping them supple and healthy. Glucosamine greatly increases these proteoglycans' ability to hold water molecules. Glucosamine can also stimulate cells in the body to actually increase their production of proteoglycans, which results in greater water retention.
When cartilage has been damaged, the proteoglycan "rope" becomes weak and unable to adequately hold water molecules, thus causing the collagen molecules and resultant cartilage cells to become brittle and subject to injury.
Collagen, the "Fabric" of Cartilage Tissue
Collagen is actually a protein. It is a very fibrous one, which means it is stringy, like celery. Because of its basic structure, collagen molecules are the connective network for virtually all tissues in the body, especially skin, tendons and cartilage.
In joints where there is a cartilage covering, the collagen serves to bond these tissue cells together thus creating the cartilage surface of bones. If not for the collagen in cartilage, the cells could not stick together or have any meaningful support, and would simply fall apart and crumble.
Glucosamine Helps to Improve Cartilage Metabolism
Because of the fact that glucosamine can actually help stimulate the cells in the body to increase production of collagen and proteoglycan molecules, it consequently helps enhance the body's ability to repair damaged and worn cartilage, which goes a long way in maintaining optimal cartilage health and pain reduction.
Tags: cartilage cells, water molecules, body ability, cells body, collagen molecules